A Very Good Year: 2010 Edition

It's hard to count your blessings with a year full of trips, weddings, baby announcements, birthday parties, reunions, holidays, new relationships, sporting events, concerts and everything else in between. Last year I took a look through my photos and realized that things had been good to me. Fast forward to another year recap and you'll find me thinking the same thing. God is good in all things and I never want to underestimate that. Praises for 2010 and all the hope for a joyful 2011.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

love,

Kristen

Merry Christmas Week!

I hope that wherever you are you're gearing up for a wonderful holiday full of family, food, and the birth of Christ Jesus. Whether you're sitting on a patio enjoying this Indian Summer or ice scraping your way our of your driveway, I wish you the merriest.

dreamy holiday decor at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas

Glenwick Trimmings

Things are festive over in the halls of Glenwick. You walk in the door and get greeted by the smell of fresh pine and that's when you are reminded of the time of year when the fireplace hasn't cooled in over a month and the cider is waiting to be warmed in the kitchen. Megan even got crafty over the weekend and found a cute place for all of our Christmas cards. So far, our cozy little home has been graced by a few festive events and now we're just waiting for you to come over...

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches!

Bucket List

I cannot tell you how eventful this past week has been. For one, I turned 26. It finally happened, I hit the ripe old age of 2-6 and it feels good. In all of my days, I have never felt so loved. My friends, co-workers, family and boyfriend spared nothing in making me feel like the most blessed girl ever and I cannot get over how thankful I am to have each of them in my life. Anyway, I will save all of those special celebrations for another post... but for now, I want to share with you the biggest news of my 26th year (so far) and that is my completion of the MetroPCS 2010 Dallas White Rock 1/2 marathon. For those of you that know me well...yes, I am serious.

You heard me – I completed, ran every step, finished, a 13.1-mile course. Because, hey, nothing says "26" like running half of your age...

This, coming from the girl that as of June 1st could not successfully run one mile without stopping and/or whining. My two crazy friends and I started training in the earlier part of September and have wrestled with training fatigue, ailing bodies and all-around frustration. We have each held each other up when the other didn’t want to be prodded along and have let other “helpers” encourage us along the way. I, personally, sought special treatment from a certain someone (read: Brad) that slowed down their pace by 3 minutes per mile, listened to me complain (specifically, "I hate this.") and continued to feed me positive encouragement in spite of it. I mean, I wouldn’t even deal with myself!

All of this to say, the three of us embraced the "race culture," worked through the cold and ran home to victory. I think we all felt a sense of accomplishment that was bigger than imagined and agreed that it was well worth it. I've never taken the chance to push myself to a point where I could actually take pride in it and yesterday, when I laid my head on my pillow, I felt like I had earned it. I had earned a small bit of affirmation and an even larger belief in the fact that I can really do anything if I set my mind to it. So much of this goal was a mental hurdle and it feels good to have scaled it. To those of you that helped, cheered, and encouraged – thank you! I couldn’t have done this without any of you and my heart swells when I think of yesterday and all of your sweetness...

And so here we are - a few pics* to prove it!

The ladies of the O Chorral - Alyssa, me, Amy and Rebecca

The best of our amazing cheering section!

(Dave, Brad, Michelle, Bailey, Katie, Kate, Leah** & Sidney** - we love you!)

(such a great sign)

*Please note, this will be the last (and only) time that I am featured in Spandex on this site. That is all.
**Not pictured.

Who What Wear

Who What Wear is a fashion website that sends out daily emails of style boards featuring current trends, must-haves, and the latest celeb looks. I always enjoy popping them open and taking a look at what they deem "worthy" of today's trends. Typically, it's a compilation of outfits that I could never afford and/or pull off without looking like a confused version of my everyday self. Anyway, all of this to say that I opened today's email to discover that I actually love their suggestion, however, should I be concerned that I most closely identify with the "Alpha Mom" style?

Oh, hi 26...nice to meet you.

This is the life

Well hello, December! I decided to take an unintentional November hiatus and now I'm back. Today has been such a wonderful day! I have been showered with love from all corners of my life on my 26th day of birth and I couldn't be happier. The Lord has blessed me with some nearest and dearest and if today is any indication of how the rest of my year will turn out then I'll take it.

Things have been great lately. Thanksgiving was as restful as I need it to be, work has been steady and everyone is healthy - praise the Lord. I get so excited on the 1st of December (for obvious reasons) because it marks the beginning of Christmas. Lights, trees, cheer, music - it's all so wonderful. So in an effort to kickoff the holidays right here on K&Co., I have decided to share with you this incredible video. There is no other place in the world that displays Christmas cheer like my beloved NYC (you like how I just took ownership there?) and this perfectly captures just one of the elements. If you haven't gotten yourself in front of a window display at Bergdorf Goodman then you need to. Visually, they are the most incredible things you've ever seen. The talent, creativity and execution can truly make you marvel. Anyway, I've often wondered how much goes into one single display and this little video captures how it's done. True to fashion - it doesn't disappoint.

Can anyone say - dream job?

Fear the Beard

I absolutely love this chart. It may or may not apply to someone who thinks their World Series beard is lucky. Lucky or not, I like it.

fear the beard

Redemption

I once heard Sheryl Crow cover the famous Johnny Cash song, "Redemption Day," and it absolutely blew me away. The lyrics to this song are really powerful and the theme of redemption even more so. I write this not to talk about a late 90's female singer, but to bring up the topic of deliverance. The definition of redemption always ties back to the sinner's search for rescue, the main reason for Christ's sufferings. I can't help but listen to the song which discusses the "train to Heaven's gate" and think of how we're all delivered on a daily basis. God allows us pardon in the form of mercy in a way that can't be rivaled.

I just read an article on a satirical Christian blog that talks about the Rangers triumph over the Yankees in a true David v. Goliath sports story. Specifically, he talks about Josh Hamilton and all he's overcome in his road to personal and professional glory. Goodness, this guy has struggled. Struggled more than most will ever know. To taste greatness that was literally given to you and let it all slip away, only to get it back again, is a true gift from the Lord. You have to believe he was meant for greatness. Not the kind of greatness that the world measures (wealth, power, notoriety) but greatness on a higher level. To be given the opportunity to use your gifts for the glory of the Lord is something that can't be taken lightly. The higher the rise, the greater the fall. I'm not sure anyone knows that as much as Josh Hamilton and his family.

I dare say that no matter what the outcome is in his next week of "play," his work has already been fulfilled. The platform that he will be given can only be added to what he's already started. Hopefully when the excitement comes (and will undoubtedly go) that the kingdom will remain impacted in a real way. Lucky us to watch it unfold and lucky Josh to get called up...

It's in the soul to feel such things
But weak to watch without speaking
Oh what mercy sadness brings
If God be willing

There is a train that's heading straight
To heaven's gate, to heaven's gate
And on the way, child and man,
And woman wait, watch and wait
For redemption day

Antlers Up!

It's Friday, I'm headed South for an A-TX wedding, whispers of an all-city garage sale are in the air and the Rangers are one win away from playing in the World Series - oh happy day!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Hopefully when I get back I'll have a renewed sense of creativity and share with you all of my wonderful thoughts. But most likely I'll go blank and post a list of my Christmas wishes...for all of us, I hope that's not the case.

I leave you with - simple and pretty home decor

Rue Mag

Friday Snack

Thanks to Brother for this score - a site full of free acoustic music. Listen and download to your heart's desire...glorious! (I know one Snackster that will love it.)

As for me and my weekend plans - I intend to do some Rangers watching, life organizing and general relaxation. Let's hear it for Friday!

Home decor ideas

Mustachio

Didn't you know? The underage mustache is back, and can be found at a Euro/hipster beach near you.

Local Natives meep.

Beach beats

photo cred

Just Marvelous

Oh to be talented. The kind of talent that makes people marvel, the work that compels a second look or the ability to make others downright envious. If I got a wish, that's what I'd wish for. Today I present to you something that makes me do all three...

(Black and white images of New York City's Fall Fashion Week.)

From Me To You

I'm obsessed.